FALL 2008 Bait & Hook Fly Fishing News
Fishing Report:
As many of you know, fishing has been slow of late. With high water temperatures and lower than normal water levels for this time of year, conditions have been difficult. But, hope looms on the horizon as they say. Nights have been significantly cooler this past week, daylight hours are shorter and if we would ever get the winds out of the south or southwest I see fishing conditions improving greatly. Within the past seven days I have had two good outings and other fly fishermen have shared similar experiences. Ed Middaugh was on Lake Gage Monday of this week and caught more than several trout using nymph patterns. I fished for bluegill last Sunday evening and did well; most were in the small to average category. I spent Monday afternoon on Oliver Lake. I had a very successful outing for trout in the limited time I had to fish.
Streams in the area are very low so the smallmouth fishing has also been slow. Since the Mississinewa River has been flowing at less than a foot of flow all summer, I concentrated on the Eel River near Adamsboro, Indiana. This is a very good spot as I finally figured out where and how to fish for the resident smallies. Also, Josef Geisler and I fished the Pigeon River, near the town of Scott, Indiana, with some success for smallmouth late in the summer. We encountered three different hatches of insects in this section of the river that fish had interest in.
Salmon and steelhead are starting to show in the Michigan Rivers now. Again, lower water temperatures and rain to increase water flows would go a long way toward getting more fish into river systems along the Michigan coast and also into the St. Joe River in Indiana.
All in all we have a lot to look forward to in both states for fall fishing opportunities.
Don’t be quick to put your gear away for the season. You may miss the best fishing we’ll have all year!
New Gear:
Fly Rods
The Sage Rod Company replaced the popular FLi rod with a new series called Flight. The rods are lighter in hand and will develop as much if not more line speed than the FLi. There is great improvement in the quality of the cork in the handle and the large line weights have a very nice brushed aluminum reel seat. We have in stock the 8 and 9 weight four piece models. The lighter weights will arrive when ready. The rod tubes for the four-piece models are designed to accommodate the reel. This is something new not only for Sage but for the entire fly rod market.
Temple Fork Outfitters has designed a single handed fly rod that can be turned into a two handed rod (switch rod) with the addition of two rod sections. TFO now has two lower rod sections designed to replace the single-handed grip section on existing 9’ 4-piece 7 and 8 weight TiCr X rods. With a total of 6 rod sections of equal length you can now have both, a great 9’ 4-piece traditional fly rod, and a 5-piece 11’3” two-hander for easy overhead distance casting. Stop by the shop to cast this rod. If you struggle for added distance, this rod could make a difference for you!
Fly Reels
Sage also introduced the 1600 Series fly reels. They are available in two sizes and include a sealed graphite drag system in a large arbor design. This is an inexpensive yet very reliable salmon and steelhead reel. $99.00
Fly Tying Vise
New for our shop is the Griffin Odyssey Spider fly tying vise. This is Griffins entry level rotary vise. It holds hook sizes 4/0 to 28. This is a great product that retails for only $79.95. It is set up on a c-clamp but the shaft could easily be cut down to mount in a pedestal base. It is made in the USA!
Renzetti Transportation/Storage Case
This is a cordura covered case with handles designed to carry Renzetti vises but will certainly accommodate just about any vise brand. The case contains elastic storage stays for tools and has two fully padded pockets that will accommodate a vise head and the pedestal base. $39.95
Other New Items include:
Sale Items:
Sage - FLi 9’ 6wt. 4 piece with rod tube…Was $315.00---Now $225.00!
This would be a great smallmouth rod or trout rod for streamer fishing.
Sage – FLi 9’ 8wt. 4 piece with rod tube… Was $325.00---Now $225.00!
This would be a great rod for bass, steelhead, salmon, bonefish and snook.
Redington Crosswater Wader – 4 layer PU Tasian waterproof breathable fabric. We have 1 medium and 1 x-large remaining. Was $99.00---Now $75.00!
Redington CD ¾ Reel – Fully machined aluminum, mid-arbor design, cork drag, moss color, 5.3 oz. We have 2 in stock. Was $119.00---Now $79.95!
If you have any questions about products or fishing conditions please call me at the shop. (260) 747-4883.
Rick
P.S. Just got back from Lake Gage. The lake is fishing very good! 09-06-2008